Device for protecting areas of eyes of a user from exposure to contaminants

ABSTRACT

A device is disclosed for protecting cosmetics applied to a user&#39;s eyelashes from exposure to moisture and other contaminants (e.g., dust). The cosmetics may be eyelash extensions, false-eyelashes or mascara. The device may also protect the user from rubbing his/her eyes. The device is a moisture preventative eyewear (glasses).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/817,015, filed Apr. 29, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for protecting areas of a user's eyes from exposure to contaminants, and more particularly to moisture preventative eyewear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eyelash extensions are enormously popular today. Eyelash extensions are enhancements that are designed to add length, thickness and fullness to natural eyelashes. The entertainment industry has been using eyelash extensions for over fifty years. However, entertainers are not the only one using such enhancements. They have gained considerable popularity in the general public for enhancing one's beauty and features. Eyelash extensions can made of human hair or synthetic materials. The highest quality synthetic material may be used to feel and behave like real human hair.

While eyelash extensions can make eyes appear larger than life and enhance one's overall beauty, eyelash extensions have several disadvantages. One major disadvantage is that the eyelash application process is overly time consuming. In particular, each (single) lash is applied to an individual natural lash using adhesive. One however must take particular care to ensure that neither the extension last nor the glue touch the eyelid itself. This part of the process alone is significant in duration. Further, an average person might have anywhere from thirty to eighty lashes per eye. The variance in the number of lashes accounts for the differences in how long it takes to apply. Because of all this, it usually takes one to two hours to attach a full new set of eye lash extensions.

A second disadvantage of eyelash extensions is cost. A set of new eyelash extensions can range in price between about $100 and $600 or more in the U.S., depending on the type and number of lashes used, the skill of the cosmetician and the venue where the extensions are performed.

There is another disadvantage to eyelash extensions use. Eyelash extensions are designed to last about 2-3 weeks, but such lashes may dislodge in less time depending upon the make and user manipulation (e.g., eye rubbing). Further, eyelash extensions are very sensitive to moisture. Therefore, such lashes may also dislodge prematurely due to such moisture. Such moisture exposure is generally inevitable when taking a shower or washing one's face. These actions or conditions will require time and additional money to have new eyelash extensions applied.

In addition, eyelash mascara is the most popular eye-makeup accessories in the world. It is also the most difficult and time-consuming makeup to apply. On average it will take 20 minutes to apply only mascara. Some mascaras are designed to be water resistant and worn while showering however when combined with heavy steam and moisture it causes the mascara to become clumpy. Therefore often the mascara needs to be completely removed and reapplied after each shower.

It would thus be advantageous to employ a device that would overcome the disadvantages described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device is disclosed for protecting eyelash extensions, false-eyelashes and eyelashes with mascara from exposure to moisture and other contaminants (e.g., dust). The device may also protect the user from rubbing his/her eyes. The device is a moisture preventative eyewear (glasses).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a device is disclosed for protecting areas of a user's eyes from exposure to contaminants, the device comprising: a frame configured to be warn by a user; and first and second deformable portions, each deformable portion attached to the frame and configured to act as a barrier to prevent the contaminants from undesirably affecting a cosmetic applied to the user's eyelashes.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, eyewear comprising: a frame configured to be warn on a head of the user, the frame including a bridge configured to be supported on a nose of the user and first and second arms each having an end configured to be positioned behind a user's ear; and first and second deformable portions, each deformable portion attached to the frame and configured to act as a barrier to prevent moisture from damagingly affecting a cosmetic applied to a user's eyelashes.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, eyewear from protecting a user's eyelash extensions from exposure to moisture, the eyewear comprising: a frame configured to be warn on a head of the user, the frame including a bridge configured to be supported on a nose of the user and first and second arms each having an end configured to be positioned behind a user's ear; and first and second deformable portions, wherein the first and second deformable portions are each attached to the frame and configured as a barrier to prevent moisture from reaching the user's eyelash extensions, and wherein the first and second deformable portions each have a ledge for contacting a user's face for preventing moisture from damagingly affecting a cosmetic applied to a user's eyelashes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a moisture preventative eyewear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is side-front view of the moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of the moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts another (enlarged) top view of the moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of the deformable portion of the moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of the deformable portions and protection shields of a moisture preventative eyewear in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a front view of the arms of the moisture preventative eyewear in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a side a moisture preventative eyewear incorporating an adjustable bridge in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a moisture preventative eyewear in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts another perspective view of a moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 depicts a bottom perspective view of a moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-12 depict various embodiments of a device for protecting cosmetics and other beauty products applied to a user's eyelashes from exposure to contaminants. The cosmetics include eyelash extensions, false-eyelashes and eyelashes with mascara. The device comprises moisture preventative eyewear as discussed in more detail below.

In particular, FIG. 1 depicts a top view of moisture preventative eyewear 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2-5 depict several views of moisture preventative eyewear 10 shown in FIG. 1. Moisture preventative eyewear 10 is a device such as a pair of glasses configured to protect exposed areas of the eyes from exposure to contaminants. Specifically, moisture preventative eyewear is used to prevent or impede moisture and other contaminants (e.g., dust) from reaching the exposed part of the eye socket and eyelashes. Moisture preventative eyewear 10 also functions to prevent the user from rubbing his/her eyes.

In these figures, moisture preventative eyewear 10 includes frame 12 and deformable portions 14, 16. In this embodiment, deformable portions 14, 16 may be attached to frame 12 via adhesive. Alternatively, frame 12 and deformable portions 14, 16 may be manufactured/molded as one integral component as known by those skilled in the art. Deformable portions 14, 16, each are configured, i.e., sized to fit the shape of the portion of frame 12 surrounding a lens. These portions are two lens frames for securing the lens to frame 12 as known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown, deformable portions 14, 16 are generally shaped in the form of a partial oval with sides to conform to the inside part of frame 12 around the lens. This is best viewed in FIG. 6 wherein a rear view of deformable portions 14, 16 of the moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 1 is shown (without frame 12). Those skilled in the art know however that deformable portion 14, 16 may be shaped as a ring, square, rectangle or other shape to conform to the inside part of frame 12 configuration around a lens. Deformable portions 14, 16, each have a sizable opening to enable a user to see through a lens.

Deformable portions 14, 16 preferably include ledges 18, 20 and ledges 22, 24 respectfully that extend around the periphery of deformable portion 14, 16. Ledges 18, 20 and ledges 22, 24 define channels 26 and 28, respectively or trough therebetween. With respect to deformable portion 14, a side surface of ledge 18 is designed to engage and attach to frame 12 using an adhesive. Thus, this surface is generally smooth/flat to properly rest flush against frame 12. On the other hand, a surface of ledge 20 is designed to engage a user's skin just near or below the user's eyebrow. Ledge 20 is preferably designed to be a bit narrower than ledge 18 to allow flexibility against a person's skin. Ledges 18, 20 via channel 26 function like an accordion on the periphery and will deform when placed against a user's skin. Ledge 20 will act as a mild suction (seal with) against a user's exposed eye surface area, directly under the eyebrow and high check bone. Thus, ledge 20 acts as a barrier to prevent or impede moisture and other contaminants from reaching a user's eyelash extensions. Deformable portion 16 is similar in configured and function as deformable portion 14 described above. Deformable portions 14, 16 are preferably made of silicon to enable sufficient flexibility, but those skilled in the art know that other materials may be employed having similar functionality.

Eyewear 10 includes a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of a user. Eyewear 10 also includes arms 30, 32 that are designed keep the frame 12 closely fitted to a user's face. That is, arms 30, 32 extend away from the lens frames, each having a free end that is positioned behind a user's ears to secure frame 12 to the user head. In the embodiment shown, arms 30, 32 are rounded inwardly to create pressure against the head of a user as shown in the figures. However, in alternative embodiments, the distal ends of arms 28, 30 may be shaped to wrap around a person's ears as shown in FIG. 8. These distal ends may also be adjusted to conform to different face and ear shapes. In all embodiments described herein, arms 28, 30 and deformable portions 14, 16 of moisture preventative eyewear 10 are configured to ensure a tight enough fit to prevent (or impede) moisture seeping into the exposed eye area, yet not too tight to create marks on the face or cause pain. Frame 12 is preferably made of plastic but those skilled in the art know that other materials may be used having similar functionality.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5, moisture preventative eyewear 10 has a configuration that may be fit properly on the majority of facial features. It is not however adjustable for various face and nose features. In alternative embodiments, moisture preventative eyewear 10 may include adjustable bridge 40 within the nose bridge of frame 12 as shown in FIG. 9. In one example, adjustable bridge 40 includes a ratchet assembly, but those skilled in the art know that a hook, screw or other mechanical mechanism on frame 12 may be employed to achieve desired results. In another example, adjustable bridge 40 may include a pair of extensions with holes for receiving a firm band with multiple extensions or ridges. The frame 12 arms 30, 32 may be manipulated or moved to advance or retract the frame 12 sides together. In this alternative embodiment, the finally adjusted frame 12 would function to maintain the position of moisture preventative eyewear 10 and ensure a tight enough fit to prevent moisture from reaching the eyelash extensions.

FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of deformable portions 14, 16 and protection shields 50, 52 of moisture preventative eyewear 10 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. (Frame 12 is not shown in FIG. 7). Protection shields 50, 52 are added as additional protection or barrier to prevent moisture from reaching the exposed areas of the eyes and eyelashes (and a cosmetic applied to the user's eyelashes such as eyelash extensions, false-eyelashes and mascara).

In these embodiments, moisture preventative eyewear 10 has a pair of lenses 34, 36 as shown, each of which is fitted within the lens frame of frame 12, respectively and is significantly shaped in a bubble or convex configuration to ensure that the lenses do not interfere with the eyelash extensions. Frame 12 and corresponding lenses 34, 36 are designed large enough to ensure that the eyelash extensions and surrounding make-up are protected. Thus, lenses 34, 36 are preferably sized in circumference to cover well beyond the eye socket.

In particular, FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of moisture preventative eyewear 50 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Moisture preventative eyewear 50 is a device such as a pair of glasses configured to act as a barrier to protect the areas (regions) of a user's eyes from exposure to contaminants. FIG. 11 depicts another perspective view of a moisture preventative eyewear in FIG. 10, but frame 52 and deformable portions 62, 64 are separated to illustrate details of these components. FIG. 12 depicts a bottom perspective view of moisture preventative eyewear 50 in FIG. 10. Specifically, moisture preventative eyewear 50 is used to act as a barrier to prevent or impede moisture and other contaminants (e.g., dust) from damagingly affecting a cosmetic applied to a user's eyelashes (i.e., from reaching the eye and eyelashes). Moisture preventative eyewear 50 also functions to prevent the user from rubbing his/her eyes.

As indicated above, moisture preventative eyewear 50 includes frame 52 and deformable portions 62, 64. Similar to the embodiments above, frame 50 includes a bridge configured to be supported on the nose of a user and lens frames (structure) for securing the lenses to frame 50. Deformable portions 62, 64, each are configured, i.e., sized to fit or conform to the inside shape of frame 52 (opposing the side of the lenses). However, those skilled in the art know that deformable portion 62, 64 may be shaped as an oval, ring, square, rectangle or other shape in order to conform to the inside shape of frame 52 configuration. Similar to the embodiments above, deformable portions 62, 64, each have a sizable opening that is similarly sized to openings in frame 52 to enable a user to see through lenses. On the inside surface facing a user wearing frame 52, there are two ledges 58, 60 for receiving deformable portions 62, 64. Ledges 58, 60 are each shaped to cooperate with the shape of deformable portions 62, 64 as described below. Ledges 58, 60 are preferably created by mold (as described below), but those skilled in the art know that ledges 58, 60 may be created in other ways (e.g., cut out).

In this embodiment, each deformable portion includes only one ledge (unlike the embodiment in FIG. 1), i.e., generally vertical section 62 a, 64 a. Deformable portion 62, 64 also include horizontal sections 62 b, 64 b, respectively. Vertical sections 62 a, 64 a and horizontal sections 62 b, 64 b, respectively define an “L” shape. Horizontal sections 62 a, 64 a are configured to fit within the corresponding portion of ledges 58, 60 of frame 52 as known to those skilled in the art. The surface of vertical sections 62 a, 64 a of deformable portions 54, 56 are generally smooth/flat to engage a user's skin just near or below the user's eyebrow. These sections curve to follow the sides of the eye sockets along a user's head. The ledges, i.e., vertical sections 62 a, 64 a act as a barrier to prevent moisture and other contaminants from damagingly affecting a cosmetic (e.g., eyelash extensions, false-eyelashes or mascara) applied to the user's eyelashes. That is, sections 62 a, 64 b act as a barrier to prevent moisture and other contaminants from reaching the area of eye including the eyelashes and eyelash extensions (or mascara).

Vertical sections 62 a, 64 a of ledges 62, 64 together with the edge of the inside surface of frame 52 define a recess or groove. The groove may be annular or other shape that follows the form of deformable portions 62, 64. This configuration enables vertical sections 62 a, 64 a to deform when placed against a user's skin. Vertical sections 62 a, 64 b will act as a mild (seal with) against a user's exposed eye socket surface area (skin), directly under the eyebrow and high check bone. As indicated above, vertical sections (ledges) 62 a, 64 a act each act as a barrier to prevent or impede moisture and other contaminants from reaching a user's eyelashes and the eyelash extensions. Deformable portions 62, 64 are preferably made of silicon to enable sufficient flexibility, but those skilled in the art know that other materials may be employed having similar functionality.

Deformable portions 62, 64 are held in place within frame 52 by an over-mold process as known to those skilled in the art. In this process, frame 52 is created by a first mold. Then, a second mold is used to mold silicon (or other suitable material) over frame 52 to create deformable portions 62, 64 onto ledges 58, 60. Frame 52 is preferably made of plastic, but those skilled in the art know that other materials may be used. The silicon is injected onto the plastic. In this respect, a secure attachment is achieved and no addition component will be needed to make that attachment. Alternatively, the deformable portions 62, 64 may be attached by press fit and/or adhesive, as known to those skilled in the art. In addition, frame 50 and deformable portions 54, 56 may be manufactured/molded as one integral component as known by those skilled in the art.

Moisture preventative eyewear 50 includes arms 66, 68 that extend away from the lens frames, each having an end that is positioned behind a user's ears to secure frame 12 to the user's head. Arms 66, 68 have free ends that curl inwardly to fit or follow the contours of the curvature of the head (skull) of a user above the ear and behind ear. Arms 66, 68 are configured for any thickness ad desired to embrace a user's head.

It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches examples of the illustrative embodiments and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the claims below. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for protecting areas of a user's eyes from exposure to contaminants, the device comprising: a frame configured to be warn on a head of the user; and first and second deformable portions, each deformable portion attached to the frame and configured to act as a barrier to prevent the contaminants from undesirably affecting a cosmetic applied to the user's eyelashes.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the frame includes first and second ledges, each defining a groove for receiving the first and second deformable portions.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first and second deformable portions each includes first and second sections, respectfully.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the first section is configured to fit within the groove of the frame and the second section is configured to contact the area of a user's face around the eye of the user.
 5. The device of claim 2 wherein the deformable portions are molded to the frame.
 6. The device of claim 2 wherein the first and second deformable portions each includes first and second ledges that define a groove, the first ledge configured to be attached to the frame and the second ledge is configured to contact the area around the eye of the user.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the contaminants include moisture.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the contaminants include dust.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the deformable portions comprise silicon.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the cosmetic is eyelash extensions, false-eyelashes or eyelash mascara.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second deformable portions, each have a ledge for contacting a user's face.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is eyewear in the form of glasses.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second deformable portions, each comprise silicon.
 14. Eyewear comprising: a frame configured to be warn on a head of a user, the frame including a bridge configured to be supported on a nose of the user and first and second arms each having an end configured to be positioned behind a user's ear; and first and second deformable portions, each deformable portion attached to the frame and configured to act as a barrier to prevent moisture from damagingly affecting a cosmetic applied to the user's eyelashes.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the device is glasses.
 16. The device of claim 14 wherein the first and second deformable portions, each have a ledge for contacting a user's face.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein the ledge is a generally vertical section.
 18. The device of claim 14 wherein the first and second deformable portions, each having a first section fixed to the frame and a second section for contacting a user's face.
 19. Eyewear for protecting areas of a user's eyes from exposure to moisture, the eyewear comprising: a frame configured to be warn on a head of the user, the frame including a bridge configured to be supported on a nose of the user and first and second arms each having an end configured to be positioned behind a user's ear; and first and second deformable portions, wherein the first and second deformable portions are each attached to the frame and configured as a barrier to prevent moisture from damagingly affecting a cosmetic applied to a user's eyelashes, and wherein the first and second deformable portions each have a ledge for contacting a user's face and acting as a barrier for preventing moisture from damagingly affecting a cosmetic applied to a user's eyelashes.
 20. The eyewear of claim 19 wherein the ledge is in the form of a vertical section, and the first and second deformable portions include a horizontal section that attaches to the frame.
 21. The eyewear of claim 1 wherein the end of each arm curls inwardly to follow curvature of the head of the user above and behind the ear. 